Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has applied to the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust bank charter. If approved, their “First National Digital Currency Bank” would oversee USDC reserves and offer digital asset custody services to institutional clients. This strategic move aims to strengthen USDC infrastructure and align with anticipated U.S. stablecoin regulations, particularly the GENIUS Act recently passed by the Senate.
Circle Applies for US Trust Bank Charter
